The annual Char Dham pilgrimage takes off

The annual 'Char Dham' pilgrimage in Uttarakhand will take off from May 9, on the auspicious ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ festival with the reopening of the Gangotri and the Yamunotri shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas. As per reports, all the preparations related with the pilgrimage have been done at the Gangotri, Yamunotri Temples in the Uttarkashi district and at the Kedarnath Temple in Rudraprayag district of the state.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 9 May 2016.

The pilgrimage attracts lakhs of devotees from India and abroad and is believed to be the economic backbone of the Garhwal Himalaya region.
The gates of the temples at Yamnotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath will be reopened on 9 May after remaining closed for six months during the winters. The gates of the Badrinath Temple in the Chamoli district will reopen on May 11.
As per laid down traditions, the world-famous Chardham pilgrimage comes to a halt towards first week of November because, at that time, the shrines become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. Subsequently, in spring, around Basant Panchami, the dates for the re-opening of the shrines are announced as per ancient rites and rituals.
Since the hill-state is currently under President's Rule, Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul has taken a keen interest in the smooth running of the pilgrimage. He has ordered officials in-charge to ensure that all facilities and road safety norms were in place before pilgrims started arriving in lakhs for the Chardham season that lasts for just over five months.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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